Michael Brecker

Michael Brecker (March 29, 1949 – January 13, 2007) was a popular US jazz saxophonist of the post-Coltrane era. He won 11 Grammys as both performer and composer.

Biography

Early Life and Career

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Michael Brecker was exposed to jazz at an early age by his father, an amateur jazz pianist. Michael and his brother Randy (who would later become a renowned jazz and rock trumpeter in his own right) grew up jamming regularly with their father. Among the generation of jazz musicians that saw rock music not as the enemy but as a viable musical option, Brecker's first instrument was the clarinet, which he began playing at six years old. By eighth grade he switched to alto sax, before eventually settling on the tenor saxophone as his primary instrument in tenth grade. Brecker says that a 1965 Coltrane concert he attended at Temple University while in High School "literally propelled me into choosing music as a life's endeavor."

After studying for a year at Indiana University, Michael Brecker moved to New York City in 1969, joining a collective of musicians in the area that played free shows for each other in their living spaces. He began to carve out a niche for himself as a dynamic and exciting jazz soloist not afraid to draw inspiration from rock, gospel, funk and R&B as well.

At age 21 Michael co-founded the jazz/rock band Dreams—a band that included his older brother Randy, trombonist Barry Rogers, drummer Billy Cobham, Jeff Kent and Doug Lubahn. Dreams was short-lived, lasting only a year, but influential (Miles Davis was seen at some gigs prior to his recording "Jack Johnson"). Most of Brecker's early work is marked by an approach informed as much by rock guitar as by R&B saxophone.

Widespread Success

After Dreams, Brecker played with his brother in pianist and band leader Horace Silver's quintet and then played in drummer Billy Cobham's group. before once again teaming up with his brother Randy to form the Brecker Brothers in 1974. As the Brecker Brothers, Michael and Randy played a brand of jazz/rock/funk fusion considered "a smart combination of extended pop forms, top-notch jazz improvisation, and sophisticated compositional techniques." With this group, the brothers followed the trail blazed by Miles Davis's 1970s bands and Weather Report, but with more attention to structured arrangements, a heavier backbeat, and a stronger rock influence. The band stayed together from 1975 to 1982 with consistent critical and commercial success.

At the same time, Michael became one of the most highly sought-after saxophone session players, and put his stamp on numerous pop and rock recordings as a soloist and sideman. Among his credits are appearances on records by Paul Simon, Steely Dan, Bruce Sprinsteen, Frank Sinatra, Dire Straits, Frank Zappa and Joni Mitchell. During the early 80s he was also a member of NBC’s Saturday Night Live band. Steps Ahead, a group that formed out of jam sessions Michael participated in with Mike Mainieri among others, was another successful fusion project of Michael's.

Finally, in 1987, after more than fifteen years of professional performance and recording, Brecker recorded his first album as band leader, Michael Brecker. The album marked his return to a more traditional jazz setting, highlighting his compositional talents and featuring the EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument), which Brecker had previously played with Steps Ahead. Michael Brecker was named jazz album of the year in both Down Beat magazine and Jazziz magazine.

He continued to record albums as a leader throughout the 1990s and 2000s, winning multiple Grammy Awards, and his solo and group tours consistently have sold out top jazz venues in major cities worldwide.

He favored his Selmer Mark VI tenor saxophone and a highly-customized Dave Guardala mouthpiece.

Illness and Death

In 2005, Michael Brecker was diagnosed with the blood disorder myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Despite a widely-publicized worldwide search, Brecker was unable to find a matching stem cell donor. In late 2005, he was the recipient of an experimental partial matching stem cell transplant. As of late 2006 he was recovering, but it proved not to be a cure for him. Brecker made his return to public performance in June 2006, playing with Herbie Hancock at Carnegie Hall. His first recording after his illness was with bassist Chris Minh Doky on the album The Nomad Diaries, which was released in November 2006.

On May 22nd, 2007, his final recording, Pilgrimage, was released receiving a good critical response. It was recorded in August 2006 with Pat Metheny on guitar, John Patitucci on bass, Jack DeJohnette on drums and Herbie Hancock and Brad Mehldau on piano. Brecker was critically ill when it was recorded but the other musicians involved praised the standard of his musicianship.

On January 13, 2007, Michael Brecker died from complications of leukemia in New York City. His funeral was held on January 15, 2007 in his hometown of Hastings-on-Hudson, NY.

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Ben Ratliff. "Michael Brecker, 57, Grammy-Winning Jazz Saxophonist", New York Times, January 15, 2007, p. A17.

External links

• Official site
• Live recordings
• Discography as a sideman
• Lucky Link To Old Site
• IBRECKER (new site)
• Various live performances captured on video. Click Search field and enter "Michael Brecker" or "Brecker Brothers"
• The Independent - Obituary